Kim St. Jean began her career as an elementary school teacher in 1991.  She left the public school system in 1998 and opened Expressive Impressions, a bead store in Charlotte , North Carolina .  Kim began teaching individuals in her store how to string and make earrings.  In 2001, Kim and her husband Norm, moved their business to the Charlotte Merchandise Mart and became suppliers to the trade.  Kim continued teaching others how to design and create beaded jewelry.  It was at this time that Kim became an instructor for Create Your Style with Swarovski Crystallized Components.  She is now one of their ambassadors and has taught for the company in Tucson each year of its inception. 

Kim has been an instructor for the Bead and Button Show for the past four years and was voted one of the shows top ten instructors for the 10 th year Anniversary.   She has also been and instructor at several Beadfest shows, an instructor at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts, and travels to instruct at many other shows and private venues.  She has been published in several trade magazines, she has appeared as a guest instructor on the Glass with Vicki Payne show and Beads and Baubles.   Kim has completed her first book, Mixed Metal Mania; Hammer, Solder, Rivet and Wire Exceptional Jewelry scheduled to be out in February 2011 and is currently working on her second book on mixed media as well as on instructional  videos.